https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/press-releases/great-ormond-street-hospital-opens-ship-shape-new-reception-designed-patients/

Great Ormond Street Hospital opens ship shape new reception designed by patients

12 May 2014, 4:47 p.m.

Pirate ship in the hospital's new reception

Patients, families and staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital came together on Friday 9 May to celebrate the opening of the hospital's spectacular seascape themed main reception.

The new area was designed with the help of children and families to offer a warmer welcome to visitors, and includes a reception desk shaped like a pirate ship, a revolving rock pool floor projection and a mural featuring a shoal of colourful fishes drawn by patients as part of the hospital's arts programme.

Great Ormond Street Hospital Patient Libby, 8, helped cut a special pirate ship cake to officially mark the opening. Libby is one of the patients whose artwork is featured in the reception.

Dr Cathy Cale, Co-Medical Director at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said: "This project was made possible by funding from Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity and the time, effort and energy of our fantastic staff, patients, families and carers.

"Together we have created the colourful and vibrant entrance we needed, reflecting our progress elsewhere to upgrade clinical facilities, improve our services and offer a friendlier welcome to alleviate the stress of coming into hospital."

Patient Libby in the hospital's new reception

Libby, 8, points out her artwork in the new reception

Practical improvements in the new reception include a comfortable and colourful waiting area and new facilities for key services including patient advice and liaison, transport and accommodation services. The nautical reception desk will reduce waiting times by allowing staff to deal with multiple requests, and interactive wayfinding kiosks will help visitors find their way around quickly.

The reception is part of an ongoing programme of redevelopment at Great Ormond Street Hospital, replacing some of the hospital's oldest buildings with modern, world-class facilities. The next phase of redevelopment is the creation of the Premier Inn Clinical Building, due to open in 2017, which will include much needed new inpatient wards and operating theatres.

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Notes to Editors

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust is the country’s leading centre for treating sick children, with the widest range of specialists under one roof.
With the UCL Institute of Child Health, we are the largest centre for paediatric research outside the US and play a key role in training children’s health specialists for the future.
Our charity needs to raise £50 million every year to help rebuild and refurbish Great Ormond Street Hospital, buy vital equipment and fund pioneering research. With your help we provide world class care to our very ill children and their families.